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Meet Your Commitee


John Hunter (Chair)

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I have been a governor for over 20 years and I am now Chairman of Glenwood School (Special) in Benfleet and Chairman of James Hornsby High School in Basildon. Both the schools are in the BSF programme and we look forward to being provided with a school fit for the future. I am a member of the ESGA Executive and sit on a number of boards at county level representing governors. My background is in local government for most of my working life ending as a Business Manager/Bursar in a secondary school. Since my retirement I have undertaken clerking of governing bodies and committees for schools in the primary sector.


Greta Taylor (Vice Chair)

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I have been a governor at Willowbrook Primary School in Hutton for over 30 years and joined the executive committee of ESGA some 10 years ago.

I have three grown up children and three grandchildren. Being a school governor has kept me in touch with modern education which enables me to take a keen interest in my grandchildren’s education

I was a guider for about 15 years and am now a member of the Trefoil Guild and I am also a member of the Essex West and Hertford East Branch of the European Union of Women, a non political organisation for women who have an interest in European affairs. About 6 years ago I became a panel member for the Appeals Office for Essex County Council, which hears appeals for Admissions and Exclusions for children in Essex, a very interesting and worthwhile job, which is carried out on a voluntary basis.

As you can see I do not have much spare time but enjoy having time with my family cruising and visiting relatives in the USA.


Joyce Woodham (Treasurer)

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I am a retired secondary school headteacher and a founding member of ESGA. I was chairman for a total of 10 years and I am currently the treasurer. I am a governor at two schools: Maldon Primary (Chairman for 8 years) and St Peter’s High school (Vice-chair Premises committee 2 years) I have been a member of the NGA board for 7 years and am a link Governor for both schools. I am also a member of the School forum, the School Partnership board and the Essex and Southend Healthy Schools Partnership.


Tosca Boothman (Secretary)

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I have been a governor since 2004 and am currently the chair of governors at Waterman Primary School in Rochford and vice-chair at another school in Hadeigh. I am passionate about the benefits of Children’s Centres ad have recently been made vice chairman of the partnership board for Castle Point.


Gina Field

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I worked for 25 years as a Matron/House Mistress in boarding schools.

I have been a Governor for 7 years and gain a feeling of being able to contribute to a community school.

My other link to Education is sitting on Appeals Panels for Admissions and Exclusions.


Rod Lane

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I have been a governor for 29 years and am currently on the governing bodies of Great Bradfords Infant and Nursery School in Braintree and Powers Hall Junior School, Witham.

I have a finance background and am Chair of the Schools Forum and Chair of the Finance Committees in both schools.

I joined the ESGA Executive in 2008 and during the last year have been involved in meetings regarding the Children and Young People’s Plan and the changes regarding the funding of Early Years.


Elizabeth Marshall

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Information coming soon


Brian Pead

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I have been a governer of two schools for 22 years; primary foundation and primary community in Cold Norton and Collingwood. I have served as chairman of both schools at various times. I sit on a number of commitees via govenor services at County Hall.

I have also been a magistrate for many years speciallising in family law and I am now retired as a director and company secretary for three companies


Margaret Potter

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I am vice-chair on the Governing Body of James Hornsby High School in Laindon, which over the years has afforded me lots of learning experiences. I am retired now, but have worked in banking, was administration officer for 5 years at Billericay School, after which I did a teacher training course for 3 years, and consequently taught French and Maths in various Secondary Schools in Essex. On retirement I taught maths and special needs (part-time) in a junior school for several years. In my free time I enjoy travelling, particularly to France, going to the theatre, walking and reading.


Ruth Bird

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I have been a Governor for nearly 30 years and joined ESGA in January 2010. I started working as a governor at my children.s junior school and then became a Parent Governor when they moved to The Boswells School. I am now a Foundation Governor and Chair at the school which is a specialist performing arts school and college in Chelmsford.

I first started my voluntary work through Guiding becoming a Brownie and Guide leader at 18 and a district commissioner some 20 years later. I have also been involved in Scouting through my husband’s troop.

I have just become the ESGA member for Mid Essex on the Local Children.s Trust Board.


Malcom Fincken

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Information coming soon


David Lenz

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Information coming soon


Pamela Higham

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I have been a Governor at Home Farm Primary school, Colchester for eight years and Chair for six years. I achieved the Higher BTEC for Chairs and also trained as a Mentor for Chairs when the scheme was introduced in Essex. I was recently elected as a member of ESGA Executive Committee.

My background is in teaching. I began my teaching career at the Girls' High School, Colchester, where I taught French, German and some Latin.I was also a Form Teacher and Careers Advisor. I have had experience of teaching in various schools, both Secondary and Primary in Essex, Havering and Suffolk.

I have been a GCSE Examiner and am currently an Invigilator for Public Examinations. I am passionate about Education,the Curriculum, Safeguarding, Antibullying and Every Child Matters.

I have thee adult children and grandchildren at Nursery, Foundation, KS1, KS2 and KS3 levels. I maintain an awareness and interest in the full spectrum of Education.

I am delighted to be a member of the Executive Committee.


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